Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1887-01-10
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LANCASTER. JANUARY 10, 1851.
Mr.. Hiscock's Venture.


Mr.. Hiscock ventures forth from among
the Republican congressional flock with a
bill to amend the tariff. Mr.. HiscOck is TO
be congratulated upon his courage, but per-
haps not 80 much upon his prudence. The
Republican congressman are sOrely divided
In opinion upon the method of revenue re-
duction, and their condition is such that the
man who steps out from among them with
q definite plan is certain to get more cuffs
than thanks from his party associates.
Our pig iron Kelley does not at all approve
Mr.. Hiscock's plan, which he says VIII be
likely to receive the support Of none but
the author in the committee Of ways and
means. Mr.. Porter, of the Philadelphia
Press, who is stationed at Wash
ington to especially pump public
men upon the tariff issue, says that
Judge Kelley declares Mr.. Hisrock's plan
to be pretty enough ia the model, but i'm
practicable in the working plan which IS
an apt description Of it.
Nj. Hiscock proposes to abolish all the
tobacco taxes and that on alcohol, but he
retains the tax on other liquors. He says
willing to remove the tax on intoxicating
beverages, and that they will have
to be coaxed to consent to the
removal Of the tobacco tax. Being
a wise man Mr.. Hiscock does not propose
to kick too hard against the pricks. He
has met, however, without doubt, his Wa.
terloo on the sugar duty question. He
straddles it, and quite awkwardly, too, and
is sure to have tall. He neither removes
the duty nor lets it be, but cuts half Of it
away and in compensation gives bounty
TO the beet-root product. Judge Kelley is
right in saying that bounties are too un-
popular to meet with favor in Congress.
In view of the Republican dissension
upon ariff reduction, it would seem to be
the part OF political wisdom for the Demo.
cratic majority in Congress to press the
matter 10 an issue at once. To be sure
there is Democratic dissention as well, but
there is better concentrated state OF opin.
ion upon the Democratic than upon the
Republican side of the chamber, and Il
stronger vote behind it. 1t is already al
most, if not quite, a majority. Mr.. Randall
and score or so of associates differ from
the Democratic majority, and Mr.. His
cock, with a small Republican contingent
approaches his views. Thougha number
Of Republican and Democratic opinions be
made in this direction, it will not carry
with it enough Of the force Of either party
to make tie Union expective. 1t is clear
that the Democrats as party are arrayed
In favor of the abolition of the duty on
raw materials, and that as a party the Re-
publicans are likely to favor the abolition
of the internal revenue collection. The
need for a reduction Of revenue Is 50
clear and urgent that 10 half way meas.
ures will do. There must be a
sharp cutting off Of revenue somewhere
Mr.. Hiscock says the reduction needed Is
one hundred millions In the face of this
fact the Democratic party must not fail to
demand the the reduction, and the Repub-
lcan party cannot afford TO resist the de.
mand. 1t must soon proclaim a policy.
Mr.. Hiscock sees this and advances his.
Mr.. Kelley denounces it without proposing
substitute. The Republican hope is Il
throw the blame of inaction on the Demo
Gratis 1t should not rest there. Mr.. Randall
and those Democrats who act with hin
on this question cannot afford to stand a.
the obstacle in the way of Democratic
performance. Knowing that the view OF
the majority Of the party is against them
they should yield all that they conscten.
tiously can. Their demand for the aboIi.
tlon of the duty on alcohol is one that we
think should be granted but not so thei1
demand for the abolition Of the tobacco
taxes. While the internal revenue bureau
is maintained for the collection of the duty
on liquors, there is no reason for ceasir G
the collection Of the duty on tobacco
which is equally worthy of tax imposi
tion and for like reasons of public policy
Certainly with proper spirit of concession
among the Democratic representatives
agreement ought to be reached upon
tariff reduction measure.